BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Major General Commanding to S. R. Mallory, October 17, 1863

Mr. Magruder to Mr. Mallory.

Sir: I have the honor to forward for your information a letter from Captain Rolando, commanding United States steamer Seminole, to Mr. G. V. Fox, Assistant Secretary United States Navy. This letter was in the mail-bag of the Seminole, which, with that of the Cayuga, were intrusted to the captain of a blockade runner, who deceived the federals into the belief that he was bound for New Orleans, and on leaving them at Sabine Pass, ran into Calcasieu, and delivered the mails to an officer there, who transmitted them to these headquarters. The original has been sent to Mr. Mason, in London, for publication, one copy to the British admiral commanding in the gulf, and one to the Mexican authorities at the Rio Grande.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,